Determining the Effects of Observed and Self-Administered Drug Regimens in HIV Infected Adults

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Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has led to better health and survival rates among people with HIV/AIDS. The purpose of this study was to measure the effect of trained partner supervision when taking medication versus self-administered therapy in HIV infected participants. These participants have had their first virologic failure on a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)-based HAART regimen and were starting a protease inhibitor (PI)-based HAART regimen at study entry.

Poor adherence to HAART is usually associated with resistant virus. Poor adherence to HAART can have serious consequences, including limited treatment options for HIV infected individuals if they become infected with resistant HIV. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of modified directly observed therapy (mDOT) and compare it with the effectiveness of self-administered therapy (non-mDOT) in HIV infected individuals with first virologic failure on an NNRTI-based HAART regimen who were starting a PI-based HAART regimen at study entry.

mDOT was defined in this study as the daily observation of lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r) being taken on a regular basis. Observation consisted of an mDOT partner being present at the time the study participant took the observed dose. Half of the participants in this study were required to choose an mDOT partner to supervise adherence for the first 24 weeks of the study. Each mDOT partner completed the study-administered mDOT training program and was required to record all observed doses in an mDOT diary log. All participants and partners received health education through the study. Adherence was measured using Medication Event Monitoring System (MEMS) caps and self-report questionnaires.

This study lasted 52 weeks. Per protocol, participants were to be stratified according to their screening viral load and the proposed study treatment. The study treatment each participant received was based on their treatment history. At entry, participants were to start one of the two PI-based HAART regimens, either FTC/Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate (TDF) 200/300 mg once daily (QD) and Lopinavir/Ritonavir (LPV/RTV) 400/100 mg twice a day (BID) or TDF 300 mg QD and zidovudine (ZDV) 300 mg BID and LPV/RTV 400/100 mg BID. mDOT was used for the first 24 weeks of the study, followed by self-administration of study medications from week 25 to week 52. ZDV was not provided by the study. All enrolled participants except one who did not start study regimen initiated FTC/TDF and LPV/rtv after randomization. No participants started ZDV containing regimen on study. Thus, participants in this study were stratified by screening HIV-1 RNA only.

There were eight visits during the study. Medical and medication history, blood collection, and clinical assessment were required at all visits. A quality of life questionnaire and an adherence tools assessment were collected at most visits. For the mDOT arm, medication diary logs and mDOT partner monitoring were reviewed at most visits. An mDOT exit questionnaire and exit interview were required at the end of the study.

Confirmed Virologic Failure at or Prior to Week 48 [ Time Frame: At or prior to Week 48 ]

Confirmed virologic failure was defined as two successive HIV-1 RNA measurements at least 24 hours apart that were either:1) <1 log10 copies/mL below the baseline level and >400 copies/mL at the week 12 HIV-1 RNA evaluation (obtained at least 11 weeks after the date of the randomization) 2) >400 copies/mL at or after the week 24 HIV-1 RNA evaluation (obtained at least 23 weeks after the date of randomization). 3) subjects who discontinued the study follow-up for any reason other than study completion, including death, and who did so ≤50 weeks after randomization was considered to be a virologic failure. Number of participants experiencing or not experiencing virologic failure at or prior to week 48 was reported.

Secondary Outcome Measures
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Confirmed Virologic Failure at or Prior to Week 24 [ Time Frame: At or prior to Week 24 ]

Confirmed virologic failure was defined as two successive HIV-1 RNA measurements at least 24 hours apart that were either:1) <1 log10 copies/mL below the baseline level and >400 copies/mL at the week 12 HIV-1 RNA evaluation (obtained at least 11 weeks after the date of the randomization) 2) >400 copies/mL at or after the week 24 HIV-1 RNA evaluation (obtained at least 23 weeks after the date of randomization). 3) subjects who discontinued the study follow-up for any reason other than study completion, including death, and who did so ≤30 weeks after randomization was considered to be a virologic failure. Number of participants experiencing or not experiencing virologic failure at or prior to week 24 was reported.

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Ages Eligible for Study:

18 Years and older (Adult, Senior)

Sexes Eligible for Study:

All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

No

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria for Participants:

HIV infected

Have experienced or currently experiencing first baseline virologic failure on first NNRTI-based HAART regimen with no history of virologic failure on another regimen OR discontinued first NNRTI-based HAART regimen without the recommendations of clinicians and currently experiencing virologic failure with no history of virologic failure on another regimen. More information on this criterion can be found in the protocol.

Confirmed virologic failure within 45 days of study entry

Receiving one of the following NNRTI-based regimens for at least 16 weeks prior to study entry: ZDV+3TC+NVP, ZDV+3TC+EFV, d4T+3TC+NVP or d4T+3TC+EFV

Able to identify a close friend, relative, or spouse who is willing to serve as a partner

Intend to stay in current geographical area of residence for the duration of the study

Agree to use LPV/rtv with MEMS caps and take the tablets out of the container only at dosing

Willing to use acceptable forms of contraception

Ability and willingness of participant or legal guardian/representative to give written informed consent.